Nicoletta Manni is the new étoile of the Teatro alla Scala: the nomination was announced by the superintendent Dominique Meier on the theater stage last night at the end of the second performance of the ballet Onegh’s which sees the protagonist dancer paired with Roberto Bolle: “Ladies and gentlemen, sorry if I interrupt the applause – said Meier on stage – I thank the orchestra and the ballet company, I thank Roberto Bolle who, as you all know, is an icon of dance, a great master and, a quality that I appreciate, he is faithful to his theatre, La Scala. And above all I congratulate Nicoletta Manni, a special, fantastic dancer. When a dancer has been shining like this among the stars for years, the rules can be changed and therefore, on the proposal of Manuel Legris, I have the pleasure of giving Nicoletta the title of étoile”. An authentic ovation from the audience, but also from the corps de ballet gathered on stage, welcomed the announcement, which surprised and excited everyone.
Through tears, Nicoletta Manni then said: “I didn’t expect it, I really didn’t know anything. It’s magnificent, I feel disconcerted, I can’t say much other than that I’m grateful for this evening. It was already a beautiful moment and now, this is the crowning moment.”
It is the first time for La Scala that a nomination has been awarded in public, directly on stage: “It is a custom of the Paris Opera that I like to have brought here to La Scala – confirmed Meier who, with the complicity of the director of the ballet company, Manuel Legris, had not communicated the decision to anyone – It is the strongest moment in a dancer’s career, and it is nicer to know it together with colleagues and the public”. And Legris: “It’s a nomination that rewards an artist who has done a lot and worked well”. The last nomination of étoile at La Scala was that of Svetlana Zacharova, guest étoile, but the list of “stars” in the Scala ballet is long, including Carla Fracci e Alessandra Ferri.
After the announcement, Nicoleta Manni celebrated with her colleagues from the corps de ballet, the theater and, obviously, her husband, the dancer and colleague Timofej Andrijashenko: “I’m happy – said Timofej – we dreamed of it, and as dancers we all dream of it . It’s a dream come true, I know how hard Nicoletta worked for this. I am proud and grateful for everything, for her and for the theater.” For Nicoletta Manni, who entered the Scala dance school at 12 and has been a principal dancer since 2014, it is truly a special year: her successes at La Scala, her marriage to Timofej Andrijashenko with whom she forms one of the most glamorous couples in dance,
now the promotion is right at the end of a ballet, Onegh’s by John Cranko, which is in his heart, because as well as being technical it is a beautiful opportunity to show off his interpretive skills: “The character of Tatiana gave me so much, it made me discover the most inner side of myself and now it will always remain in my heart with this appointment”, said Manni who also thanked Roberto Bolle: “he was by my side in the most difficult and most emotional moments and tonight he was here with me at the announcement. I feel the responsibility of this appointment, but at the moment I’m just happy.”
2023-11-09 17:13:42
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